The reason Charlotte came here has always been in her mind, but she haven't even see the Great Prince yet after all this time.These days she get closer and closer with Zhengyin, and she try to get some information from him.
"Sir Zhenyin, you're been going in and out a lot lately!"
"Yes, The Great Prince was tasked to supervise an encroachment case, and His Majesty want me to guard him."
Charlotte heart beats fast.Just as she trying to get the topic onto the Prince.Zhengyin mentions that he's been working with the Great Prince.
"You are with the Majesty, yet he's asked you to protect the Great Prince.Looks lke he really spoils him"
"The Great Prince was raised by his Majesty personally.He's to important for the king to not care for"
Charlotte talk about the Great Prince, pretending to do so out of curiosity.Charlotte careful though, asking about some unimportant details that Zhengyin knows.
"Why do you keep asking about the Great Prince?"
"I haven't met him yet so I'm curious!"
Zhengyin looks at Charlotte silently.His emotionless face makes her a bit nervous and his eyes look investigation.
"The Great Prince is a noble.Hes somewhat cold.Its been you stay away from him."
Zhengyin looks a bit relieved as Charlotte accept what he said.Then, Charlotte leaves him and went to the Swan's garden.Afterwards, she hear someone calling out to her while she pass the garden.
"The maid over there, serve tea for me"
She tensed up when Charlotte heart te emotionless voice.Its been so long.Tge voice breaks the air and pierces into her ear, causing Charlotte a pain.The same voice that told words of romance and vows of love of a great gentleman.The same voice that remember her world and herself.She draw in a deep breath, and turn around.Now that she's calm and collected, Charlotte walk up with a smile.
"Greetings, Your Highness..."
There are two men sitting in the parillion.The familiar yet strange fine looking man dressed in a serpent robe is The Great Prince.The other one is...She stare and fall silent.
"A new maid?I'm surprised you ever know me at all.This is the First Prince"
"Greetings, First Prince"
"You may stand.This maid looks familiar.Dont you think so?"The First Prince said.
The "hero" that Charlotte encountered while she were out is the First Prince, Guchi! No wonder he looks familiar.Charlotte saw him once in her life,plus,he does resemble the Great Prince.
"Familiar?Really now?The only difference I can find is the fine looks.Well, all that aside, the First Prince and I ran into each other today.Theres no else, serve tea for us"
Charlotte walk to the table and try to calm herself as she pour the tea obediently.
The two princes decided to have tea and watch. The swans dancing at the season of springs.Theres only a servant here, and serving tea is quite is traditionally the maid's job.The servant doesn't know how to do it, and Charlotte happened to be here.
"Hm?The way you serve tea is quite different"said the Great Prince.
"You're never seen it, brother?This is the Western style.I can't believe a little maid knows this."said the First Prince."Were did you learn this one, young lady?"
"I learned this from my father?"Charlotte replied.
"Then your father must be even more skilled at tea serving."
"Please have tea, my princes"Charlotte said to the Great Prince.
"Hmm, this is very good.Great taste!"
"Thank you, Your Highness.I can continue serving tea to you if you like."
Charlotte are now calm about the Great Prince and the First Prince.
"It's because of the tea quality, not the serving style."
"Then why don't do it yourself!"
"What?Am I wrong?!"cocks brow to Charlotte.
"I dare not.The Great Prince is correct."
"I know you are pretty good with tea, but I don't care as long as it taste good.What's your name?"
"I am Charlotte.I serve Miss Susan"says quickly.
"Pretty smart.I'll have you serve tea again if the chance comes up."
Charlotte chuckle on the inside.She thank him and praise him, the same way to, the other royal members.The Great Prince becomes happy and looks at her softly.
"What with that expression brother?Why are you looking at the girl like that?"
The Great Prince makes Charlotte realized that Gushi's been staring at her.
"Nothing.I just feel that she would be aware of someone who's this eloquent."Look away to the other side.
"Can't you wait until I gone to say that?The First Prince most have misunderstood.I'm not like that."Squeezes out her smile.
"Don't worry about it, Charlotte.That's just how the First Prince is!"
The steward has known her for a while, and he stands up for her.
"I know her.She's a two-faced sweet-talker.Even the stewardess praises her all the time."
Charlotte is so dumpfounded.Gushi begins laughing out loud, and the steward looks confused.
"Two-faced sweet-talker?That's a nice way to put it!You do know it's devogatory right?"
"Don't use words if you don't know what they mean!It's embarrassing!"
The Great Prince gets called away halfway through the tea session.Only two we're left.
"More tea, Prince?Or should I take my leave?"
"More.You need to stay olfor as long as I'm here.Got that?"
"Understood."
Charlotte feel wronged.She don't even notice when Guchi smirks at her.
"Dummy, what happened to all that spirit you had?Aren't you going to get up in my face?"
Charlotte alarmed at Guchi''s memory.He still remembers her as the person who picked up, the wallet from before.
"Thank you so much Prince for saving me last time."
"Don't, worry about it.I did for the wallet anyways."
"Then really have to say thanks...to the wallet!"
"Thank the wallet?I think you're trying to give a stroke!"says smirks to Charlotte.
"I shall take my leave then if that's how you feel! So you can stay calm with my non-presence?"
"Stay.Didn't you hear me? Hm? What? Are you working through your humiliation? I think it's fun.Even the tea tastes much better than before, young lady!"
Charlotte really can't complain in front of the First Prince, Guchi no matter how she angry she get.Yet he see Charlotte trying to fight her way through humiliation.It's depressing.It takes a whole hour before Guchi let's Charlotte leave.She feel complicated on her way back.Guchi has left the strange impression among the princes.He was the greatest opponent for the Great Prince.
"If I weren't there, would the Great Prince have been reinstated?Gushi would have been the next duke then, right?"
"Wait,miss!I'm sorry about back there.My fault for not being to literate, and embarrassed you!"
The steward, Akari calls out to her and was over.He realized his verbal mistake form before and apologizes to Charlotte with a blush.